16 Common Errors Massage Therapists Should Avoid Making

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Massaging so hard that it hurts. Massage does not have to hurt.Causing bruises. Generally this means the massage was too forceful. Except when doing cupping or gwa sha massage, there should be no bruising.Boundary violations. Massage therapists have no business getting sexually involved with their patients. That business is prostitution. Unfortunately massage clinics are often used as fronts for prostitution. In Belmont, San Mateo County, California, it is estimated that 80% of massage therapists were working as prostitutes. Don’t do this! Here’s a news article about it: www.mercurynews.com/ci_15601190Improper or inadequate draping of the client.If the massage therapist wears sexually suggestive clothing during the massage or presses his/her sexual organs against the client during the massage, this can give mixed messages.Not asking if the client is ok with the depth and pressure of the massage.Working too long on knots - 20 seconds is the maximum a knot needs to be worked on for therapeutic benefit.

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Trying to release an iliotibial band suffering from ITBS with direct pressure massage. An IT band can’t be released by pressure. By stretching, yes. With direct pressure, no.Saying negative things about a client’s body. Really? Who wants to pay to hear this?Massaging clients when suffering from a communicable infectious disease during its active phase. Clients don’t need you sniffling or coughing/sneezing on them. Scratching clients. Massaging clients with cuts on your hands.Getting massage lotion into your clients eyes.Angling the face cradle improperly. This can lead to neck spasms if the client is lying face down in the improper position for too long.Massaging a client on dirty sheets. Besides just being gross, this can lead to the spread of infectious disease.Trying to do a chiropractic adjustment on a client. This can lead to serious injury.